wilsonae

Wilsonae is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific naming of organisms. It is not a genus or taxon itself, but part of a binomial name such as Genus wilsonae.

In taxonomy, epithets are often formed to honor individuals; wilsonae indicates the honoree has the surname Wilson and is female, following the Latin genitive feminine ending -ae. If the honoree is male, the form would usually be wilsoni, and for multiple honorees, wilsonorum or wilsonarum depending on gender and plurality, in accordance with the respective nomenclature codes.

The use of wilsonae spans both zoological and botanical naming, as allowed by the ICZN and the ICN, though the exact rules for forming patronymic epithets differ between codes.

In practice, the epithet is chosen by the describing author at the time of publication and must be unique within the genus. The name affords recognition to the honoree while preserving the stability of nomenclature.

See also: taxonomic names, eponym, Latin grammar; International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.